The Lhasa Apso Shop
Lhasa Apso Breed Summary
Sweet, Protective, Noble and Loyal
Originating from Lhasa, a sacred Tibetan City, these dogs have served as both companions and watchdogs! Their name translates to Bark Lion Sentinel Dog, which is no surprise due to their bold manner and suspicion towards strangers. These guys are very assertive and require lots of training to make sure they mature into well-rounded dogs.
They are fairly costly with their coats requiring daily brushing as well as regular washing. They also need to visit groomers regularly to keep on top of their coats. These costs can be kept down if you decide to clip your dog yourself.
These guys have a very long life span, estimated between 13-15 years however, many do reach the golden age of 20.
Fun Fact: The Tibetans believed that Lhasa's possessed the souls of deceased monks and it was made illegal to buy or sell the breed for some time. Instead, they could only be received as a gift.
| Kennel Club Group | Non-Sporting |
| Lifespan | 13 - 14 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 9in - 11in |
| Weight | Males and Females 12lb - 18lb |
| Coat | Heavy, Straight and Long Top Coat with a Moderate, Softer Undercoat. |
| Color | Black, Black & Tan, Black & White, Brindle, Brindle & White, Brown, Brown & White, Cream, Cream & White, Gold, Gold & Black, Gold & White, Gold Brindle, Golden, Gray, Gray & White, Honey, Honey & White, Parti-color, Red, Red & Gold, Red & White, Sandy, Tan & White, Tricolor, White. |
| Eye color | Dark |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia, Kidney failure, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Reverse sneezing, Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Hydrocephalus |
| Other Names | Tibetan Apso, the Apso Seng Kyi (Tibetan), the Bearded Lion Dog, the Hairy Lion Dog, the Talisman Dog, the Shantung Terrier, the Sheng Trou, the Apso and the Lhasa |
Though Lhasa Apsos may look sweet and innocent, they are fiercely protective of their humans, this is largely due to the ancient custom of this breed guarding the home and family. However, these dogs will never react aggressively and can be trained from early on to react well to strangers. The loyalty these dogs possess does mean that they love to share their lives with humans and will always bring joy and long-lasting friendship. This breed has a unique ability to reason and take charge, so it's vital they are trained correctly – unless you want to be manipulated by a 10-inch-tall dog! The Lhasa Apso sometimes enjoys doing things on their own and doesn't necessarily always need to please you, so if you want an obedient dog, this mischievous minx probably isn't for you! These dogs aren't prone to separation anxiety and can be left on their own for reasonable periods of time.